Rockpool exits Alchemist to Horizon Capital
Rockpool has sold its majority stake in Alchemist, a learning and development business that delivers learning experiences to a blue-chip corporate and public sector client base. The sale will generate a strong return for Rockpool investors and it marks the firm’s fourth exit within six months.
Alchemist has delivered impressive growth with sales more than doubling over the last two years. It offers clients blended multi-modal learning, underpinned by a proprietary technology platform, creating learning programmes tailored to an organisation’s specific needs.
Alchemist was created in 2022 to consolidate the success of two well-established learning and development brands, Interact and Apex, and is led by Stuart Packham, who will continue as CEO.
Horizon Capital will take a majority stake in the company, supporting the Alchemist team as it continues to grow the business both organically and via selective acquisitions. As part of the transaction, Horizon will provide follow-on investment to fund acquisitions. Rockpool will re-invest in a minority position alongside Horizon and management.
Darran Green and Simon Collins led the exit for Rockpool.
“I am thrilled at how well the Alchemist team have performed during our period of investment. Stu and the team have done an exemplary job in sustainably growing the business while maintaining Alchemist’s distinctive learning ethos.”
Darran Green, Partner at Rockpool Investments“It has been great to have the support of the Rockpool team since I became CEO in 2019 and I am delighted with the growth and value that we have created together. With the new investment from Horizon Capital, I believe Alchemist is set to become a significant force in the global learning and development market, offering creative bespoke learning at scale.”
Stuart Packham, Chief Executive Officer of AlchemistThe company and its shareholders were advised by Oppenheimer Europe (corporate finance), Bracher Rawlins (legal) and Parisi Tax. Management was advised by Stephens Scown legal).
ABOUT ROCKPOOL
Rockpool Investments is a private equity firm dedicated to creating opportunities for high-net-worth individuals and family offices to invest in private companies. Rockpool provides equity and loan capital of between £5m to £15m to profitable UK-based companies and has invested over £675m since inception.
